Introducing Our New Research Uptake Officer

SHARE is delighted to welcome Sophie Durrans as our new Research Uptake Officer. We asked Sophie to tell us a little more about herself and her hopes for the role.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

For the past two years I worked at the Wellcome Trust on a range of projects including environment and health research funding, communications and project management. I have experience working with NGOs and UN agencies on a range of topics from behaviour change to non-communicable diseases. I completed my undergraduate degree in Social Anthropology and my Masters in Global Health and Development.

What attracted you to this role?

SHARE’s emphasis on research uptake and ensuring that research impacts policy and practice made me particularly interested in this role. I was also impressed by the breadth of SHARE’s work, with themes ranging from WASH and complementary food hygiene to WASH and vaccines, which mirrors my own broad-ranging interests in global health. 

What are you most looking forward to about working at SHARE?

I am really looking forward to working with SHARE’s partner institutions and support their research uptake activities as well as learn more about their research projects. I am keen to learn more about the WASH sector and behaviour change, and working within the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine gives me a great opportunity to do both. I am also excited about interacting with a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, NGOs and policymakers, to help get research into use.

What will you be working on for the next few months?

Over the next few months I will be working on translational outputs like policy briefs, as well as supporting upcoming conferences and events that SHARE or our partners are involved in. As Phase II research gets under way, I will also be supporting partners with their specific research uptake activities.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy running, climbing, yoga and pilates. I love to travel and explore new cultures and cuisines. I am also involved in a volunteer-led social enterprise called Lensational, which aims to empower women in developing countries through photography.